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“I’d Play In Goal Just To Get Minutes” Claims Arsenal Youngster

Chuba Akpom has shown his ambition to play in the Arsenal first team, claiming he’d even play in goal if it got him minutes on the pitch. The youngster was speaking after the 4-0 victory over Nottingham Forest last night (via Arsenal.com).

He’s generally known as a physical centre forward but Chuba Akpom spent much of his time on the wing against Nottingham Forest last night. The 20-year-old threatened at times and was brought down in the box for the penalty which Lucas Perez promptly converted for his first Gunners goal. It was not his normal position but Akpom seems to have enjoyed his outing.

“I think right now I’d play anywhere,” Akpom said. “I’d play in goal just to get minutes, just to be involved in the team.

“I didn’t mind playing on the wing today, I’ll play anywhere the boss wants me to play, but today it was still an attacking position and I just tried to be as much of a threat as I could.”

The striker seemed pleased with the performance of the team too. “Yeah, I mean when the team wins 4-0 it’s always enjoyable.” Akpom added. “We tried to add as much fun as we could on the pitch and the main thing was to stay disciplined because there were a lot of changes to the team.

“A lot of young players involved like me, Ainsley and Jeff and yeah, I think the senior players all helped us out and we got a good result today.”

It was a good performance from Akpom last night, especially considering he played in a different position. Arsene Wenger has a history of playing central players out wide, most notably with Aaron Ramsey recently, and both Jack Wilshere and Francis Coquelin in the past. Those three have since enjoyed lengthy stints in the first team and Akpom will hope for the same.